Perspectives and involvement of children and adolescents during the decision-making process of their Covid-19 vaccination

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Simone Teresa Böhm-González - , Universität zu Köln (Autor:in)
  • Sarah Detemple - , Universität zu Köln (Autor:in)
  • Jasmin Gruß - , Universität zu Köln (Autor:in)
  • Rosa Franke - , Universität zu Köln (Autor:in)
  • Jörg Dötsch - , Universität zu Köln (Autor:in)
  • Reinhard Berner - , Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Technische Universität Dresden (Autor:in)
  • Christoph Härtel - , Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (Autor:in)
  • Annic Weyersberg - , Universität zu Köln (Autor:in)

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to understand the perspectives of young people towards their Covid-19 vaccination and their involvement in the decision-making process. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 children and adolescents (aged 8–19 years), who attended a school in Germany during the pandemic. Interviews were explored with structured and evaluative content-analysis. Results: Five overarching themes were identified: 1) Motivators for vaccination: protection against Covid-19, secondary societal benefits and positive experience of peers 2) Barriers to vaccination: perceived lack of risk for severe disease 3) Participation in the decision-making process: mostly adult-initiated shared decisions 4) Role of vaccination status at school: issues of marginalization and stigmatization 5) Wishes to adults and politicians: need for better information Conclusion: Involving children at a high level of participation while taking into account their individual maturity could be a favourable strategy in a family`s decision-making process regarding vaccination. Expectations from peers or parents and societal benefits as primary incentive to get vaccinated should be minimized during the decision-process. Practice implications: Our study highlights the need to include young people`s perspectives in vaccine research, -development and -education campaigns. Future research should develop instruments to structurally embed and promote children and youth participation in healthcare-related decisions.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer108476
FachzeitschriftPatient Education and Counseling
Jahrgang130
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Jan. 2025
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Schlagworte

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • Adolescent, Children, Covid-19 vaccination, Participation, Shared decision-making, Vaccine hesitancy